Using old pressure cooker may result in poisoning: Know more

A 50-year-old man was recently admitted to a hospital in Mumbai due to severe lead poisoning. His symptoms, like forgetfulness, extreme fatigue and pain, were reportedly due to lead poisoning caused by using an old pressure cooker. Lead toxicity, also known as lead poisoning, occurs when lead builds up in the body, leading to serious health problems both in adults and children. Lead poisoning can adversely affect the functioning of internal organs, such as the brain, kidneys, and reproductive system. The man couldn’t be diagnosed correctly until the doctors recommended a heavy metal screening. 22 mg lead per decilitres of lead was found in his body, confirming lead poisoning.

Doctors say that his wife had been using the same pressure cooker for the last 20 years, causing severe lead poisoning. When an old and damaged aluminium pressure cooker comes into contact with acidic food items, lead and aluminium particles can mix with the food. Consuming such food for a longer period may block the calcium channels, slowing down the signals to the brain. Doctors recommended chelation therapy for patients after they recover.

What is lead poisoning?
Lead poisoning occurs when lead accumulates in the body. Lead could reach the body through food, human contact and by breathing. The metal could damage the functioning of the brain, nerves, bloodstream, and nervous system. Lead poisoning may also cause learning disabilities, behaviour problems, brain damage and long-term intellectual challenges in children.

Symptoms of lead poisoning
Lead poisoning cannot be identified easily as the symptoms could be mistaken for other diseases. Nevertheless, some of the common symptoms of lead poisoning are:
1) Stomach pain
2) Hyperactivity
3) Learning disability and behavioural changes
4) Headache
5) Vomiting

6)Fatigue
7) Anaemia
8) Numbness in feet and legs
9) Lack of sexual drive
10) Impotence
11) Kidney diseases

Impotence and kidney diseases caused by lead poisoning cannot be treated completely. You can remove sources of lead from your house or surroundings to prevent lead poisoning or reduce the traces of lead in your blood. Lead poisoning can be controlled through whole bowel irrigation, a medical procedure that cleanses the entire gastrointestinal tract by administering large volumes of an osmotically balanced solution, typically polyethene glycol, either orally or via a nasogastric tube. Doctors recommend whole bowel irrigation if traces of lead paint chips are found in the X-ray.